German developers behind OpenOffice.org have jumped from the Oracle-backed ship to the newly independent LibreOffice project

Open source developers in Germany have jumped ship from OpenOffice.org and joined the newly created open source alternative, the LibreOffice project. The move continues to demonstrate the ongoing tensions between software giant Oracle and open source advocates.

Developers Jump Ship

“The past days and weeks here in the project were marked by sometimes heated discussions, about how we perceive the co-operation in the project and how we make this more willing and able,” wrote Rahemipour. “Unfortunately, this discussion has not always been objective, problem- and goal-oriented, as it would have been desirable, but sometimes very emotional.”

The developers highlighted how their voluntary work has helped the OpenOffice.org project grow over the years, but said that sometimes their voluntary work ‘faces limitations’ when it “does not match the ideas of the main sponsor.”

“This has led and still leads to unnecessary misunderstandings and discussions,” said Rahemipour. “To break through these limits, project must evolve and requires an independent body – a Foundation.”

Supporting the TDF

“Oracle’s official response to the announcement of The Document Foundation was clear – Oracle will continue OpenOffice.org as usual,” Rahemipour added. “Although it has been stressed several times that there will be collaboration on a technical level, and changes are possible – there is no indication from Oracle to change it’s mind on the question of the project organisation and management.”

“The answer for us who sign this letter is clear: We want a change to give the community as well as the software it develops the opportunity to evolve. For this reason, from now on we will support The Document Foundation and will – as a team – develop and promote LibreOffice. We hope that many are going to join us on this path,” said Rahemipour. “We are also aware that every individual has to make his or her own decision freely. We decided to withdraw our previous positions in the germanophone project.”